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Hi Coen, like you I'm on Viread and Epivir, but also with Viramune and have a constantly dry mouth and throat which my Doc says is down to the medication. The only advice he gave me was to take lots of water throughout the day and use a general mouthwash twice a day. I find mine is much worse at night for some reason, it seems like just one of those things we have to put up with but it may be worth mentioning it to your Doc on your next visit to see if he can suggest anything else which might help.

I wish I could figure out which medication it is: I am a singer and with a dry mouth and throat it is not nice singing. I remember being completely dried out from Crixivan, dry skin etc. But that did not affect my mouth. Really annoying, and it is new for me, I am on these meds for 2 years already!

My dentist gave me a gum specifically for a dry mouth problem. It is amazing how easily chewing the gum creates sufficient amounts of saliva. Dry mouth is a serious problem because it helps to promote tooth decay and gum disease.

Coen, despite I drink two large glasses of water with my meds (almost one litre of water) I wake up really thirsty.My father suffers from dry mouth after his radiotherapy for his tongue and throat cancer. He uses "xerostom" or "biotene". Both brands have mouthwash, bioadhesive gels and toothpaste. They contain all the enzymes in the saliva.

Some medications can cause dry mouth. Does not necessarily have to be HIV meds either. I am on Viramune, Epzicom, and Viread, and I did have a little problem in the very begginning, after starting HAART. I do not have that problem now.

Just a suggestion, if you use mouth wash regularly, try to avoid those mouthwashes that have alcohol content !! This was also recommended by my dentist a long time ago. Stick with those mouthwashes, that use natural enzymes, and are alcohol free.

Again, thanks all of you for the information. I'll talk about it with my doc, see what he thinks. The problem with chewing gum is that I can't use it while singing. The funny thing is it isn't all the time. In the morning it is worst and late in the evening. Strange.

Just a reminder; you should be drinking at least 3 to 4 liters a day of pure, unadulterated water. If you think you mouth is dry, you should see your inside glands. We must drink loads of water, as the medications and the virus itself cause the body to not retain liquid very well.

Please drink more water, it is simple, and very effective.

In Love.

Logged

The Bible contains 6 admonishments to homosexuals,and 362 to heterosexuals.This doesn't mean that God doesn't love heterosexuals, It's just that they need more supervision.Lynn Lavne

The strange thing about the gum is that it gets your saliva going then you spit it out. Itís not something you have to use 24/7. It is practically tasteless also. I have permanent bridgework in my mouth, which my dentist thought of before suggesting my using it.